M37B1 US Military 1961 Dodge 3/4 Ton truck

Recent find, this one had a frame off restoration five years ago, former US Army in Europe radar truck. Brought back in 1977 and pretty much sat for 35 years. Runs great, and I have located another identical winch to replace the damaged one.

[@JGMan0011]

Trying to educate myself on these trucks. Most informative video I've seen yet on the M37. Thank you!

[@singgihabyasa1205]

nice video

[@Tiebor12]

mine was a Commo truck with trailer carrying ten reels of field wire....I miss mine I would LOVE to have one..TI-ing these wee easy

[@RockIsland1913]

This truck belonged to army missile command and had a radar unit mounted in the back .

[@southjerseymilitaryvehicle8337]

Awesome.. I'm working now on the ambulance version.. 1953 m43.. Best ever..

[@RockIsland1913]

It's had some work since the video, winch is now operational, carburetor rebuilt, tune up completed, busted taillight replaced. It's been hauling firewood these last few weeks, it needed the exercise from a summer spent parked, and apart given that in the summer months I work slower than molasses flowing in January . Heat cooks me out of the cab with it's on or off setting. Now that salt is hitting the roads it will only be used off road on the property, I have enough rusty trucks, I don't need another.

[@southjerseymilitaryvehicle8337]

@@RockIsland1913 very nice job. The m43 I got needed A lot of work. It's running now. Still needs some body work. Was getting 35 volts at headlights blowing them out.. I think I fixed that.. The winch was stolen so I'm.looking for another.. Definitely need a heater.. I only get about 43 mph.. Anything faster... It's screaming... Lol.. What state are you in? I'm in South jersey.. Again.. Nice work.

[@khadijagwen]

I had a Civilian Dodge truck that had the manual 4/2 speed, and manual hubs. I loved it.

[@RockIsland1913]

Except for the river fording system this pretty much is the civilian power wagon with a military body on it. We had a 1948 Power Wagon as a site truck for plowing snow up to the mid 90's. Today these are 60,000 restored, but you can still find M37's for under 20 grand in nice shape, much less if they need work.

[@-SF1-]

I've grown fond of these and hope to get one. Very nice find. I hope you will update as you do things to it so we can see the progressions.

[@RockIsland1913]

The truck was done over just five years ago, or it was finished five years ago. It doesn't need much now that the winch has been replaced. Tune up stuff, I fixed the broken non standard taillight lens. Put gas in it, that's about it. Everything works, no rust at all. Now that cooler weather is approaching I will be tuning it up, I am setting up another distributor with all USA components and a new old stock distributor body ( for the new bushings) so I can just swap it with the other one as needed. Then I will go over the distributor that is in it now. Five thousand miles since the overhaul was finished I know the points need cleaning and such. It's getting expensive to find NOS USGI 24 volt coils so I am hoping I find one in the current distributor. This is the first antique vehicle I have bought that needed so little done to it, I am used to months or years of the vehicle up on stands as I fix everything.

[@-SF1-]

@@RockIsland1913 I've looked around and its definately possible to get one fairly reasonably. Can't say that for their close relative the civilian power wagon. I kind of like the flat hood on the M37 though. Post some more videos when get the opportunity...there a few folks out there who will enjoy following along!

[@RockIsland1913]

I used the 1948 civilian power wagon as a snow plow for 20 years. Peel off the M37 body and you have a power wagon under it. Not much changed since it was introduced during the war. The power wagon was not a comfortable vehicle, inadequate heater, low roof, narrow body, but it would pull a house down and then drag it up a hill. The M37 has the fording capability the power wagon did not have, 24 volt electrics, but otherwise the same running gear, and winch option. Today civilian power wagons are expensive unless you find one just dragged out of the swamp. M37's, the better option in my opinion if you have a heater and hardtop on it, might run 20 grand for a nicely restored one. Well under ten grand for one running but needing work. Mine has around 7000 miles on it, not uncommon as these vehicles were prepositioned in Europe for the war that never happened, then sold as surplus when new vehicles were introduced. Mine came out of service at the end of the Vietnam era and was shipped home in 1977. It then spent 20 years in a barn after the farmer who bought it took the distributor apart and couldn't get it back together. I have all the paperwork from the moment it left military service to now. These trucks are not for everyone, steering is fully manual, and requires strong arms, double clutching 2 gears is necessary, minimal seat padding, no radio, 45 MPH top speed, 50 if you don't care about blowing the engine. In other words this is a real truck, like the early trucks of the 1930's and 40's were. Designed for tough work under the worst conditions. They are best used off road, not a highway or town truck, gas mileage is under 10 mpg. I see some people who take them and modernize everything, turning it into a modern truck with an older wrapper. No me, if I wanted a toy truck with Cummins diesel, auto transmission, power options, I would go to the dealer and buy the new 2020 model ( and pay 60 grand for 1/4 the strength of the Dodge M37) I don't know how many videos I will make of the truck, as I said, it doesn't need anything. It just needs to be used, and maintained. That's another issue, everything on this truck is designed to be continually maintained. No sealed bearings or steering components here. Grease zerks on everything that moves, fluids in all driveline components that need to be monitored, no low oil lights here. Brakes need to be manually adjusted periodically, and they are inadequate, sort of an afterthought by the designers. 6000 pound without payload vehicle with brakes that would barely stop a '61 Dodge Dart, and they need bleeding twice a year . Of course with the gearing these trucks have who needs brakes anyway? Many people, even ones coming from a background of antique cars don't realize the amount of maintenance these type vehicles require. Without the base motorpool and it's squad of grease monkeys it must all be done by one guy. I have run heavy equipment for years so I am used to this sort of thing. Fluid checks and greasing this and that are a daily thing with loaders, excavators, and so on. I love explaining what double clutching is to kids who don't even know how to operate a modern era 5 speed. I learned it on a Model A Ford. My '69 FWD needs double clutching for all four gears, the M37 lets you off easy by requiring it only for two. The engine is dirt simple, 230 Dodge L head Six. Chrysler ran variations of this engine in millions of vehicles and stationary applications. The 230 is a holdover from the WW2 years and the first PW's. It's the short six, Chrysler, and DeSoto had a longer block with slightly larger displacement. Not a powerhouse, but reliable when not abused, and as the PW's are all about gearing, the small engine gets the job done. Start searching Craigslist, and eBay, M37's are there every day. Many were sold to farms, town highway departments, the forest service, fire department, I hear some are still in service, and some may still be available from government auctions.

[@frankdavidson9675]

@@RockIsland1913 i converted my dist to civy got rid of those 20.00 plugs adnd screw on wires same dist cost less than 50.00 to switch still 24 volt

[@frankdavidson9675]

@@RockIsland1913 mine has the original dist. i added a new condencer new points new coil that was the first thing i did i found mine in a junk yard in ga. 2011 it ws last reg in ga in 2007 i side of the points were burned off about 1/4 inch because it had wrong condencer its uses an AL118 condencer gives a 3/4 in spark be careful when buying a coil new old stock is the best if you find one those from mexico last about 6 months --toast they build them with too small ga wire

[@arthurmorgan9559]

Really Nice Sir

[@johnbellas490]

I had a 1955 M -37 weapons carrier unit for years!! good truck, wish I still had it, but was forced to sell it This truck is a M-37, it is not technically a power wagon, the power wagon was a civilian development specifically meant for civilian use and they were built just slightly different in that the parts of the power wagon did NOT MEET MILITARY STANDARDS although they WERE LARGELY interchangeable size and fit wise, these M 37's were DOUBLE C channel frame from front to back, and were real strong to withstand the tortuous off road use the military required of them!!

[@RockIsland1913]

I know, I plowed snow with a 1948 Power Wagon for 20 years back in 80's and 90's. I use the term power wagon when talking to people who have no clue what an M37 is, but they can relate to the power wagon. Most of the time I end up explaining that no, there isn't the 1990's 3/4 ton Dodge power wagon truck chassis with Cummins diesel under there. I had the truck working today hauling some lawnmowers home. In the 90 degree heat I pop the windshield half open and enjoy the blast of air coming in as I move. They were built to last a lifetime, and this one isn't even broke in yet.

[@MikeLoveBuns]

Different times had drove this type of vehicle 🚗 while station in Vietnam 🇻🇳 between 1969 - 1971 Mike from Missouri

[@RockIsland1913]

This is a 1961 vintage m37B1 that would have had many similar versions anywhere the US military was during the 60's and early 70's . This one had a rotating radar dish unit slid in the bed, and belonged to the Army missile command in northern Europe. Thank you for your service Mike. The steel soldier is still being useful, I load it with split firewood and drive it right into the shop to feed the woodstove. Even with a full heaping load of oak the springs don't sag and the engine doesn't seem to notice the extra weight.

[@acmefixer1]

Ah, yes. The one I drove in Germany in '69 was a death trap. I checked it out of the motor pool and I got a little ways down the road when the accelerator pedal went dead and the engine revved up to maximum! I had enough sense to grab the ignition switch and I turned it off, then on and managed to get back to the barracks without killing anyone, but it was like riding a bucking bronco. Either flat out acceleration or deceleration! The throttle shaft on the carburetor was brass and it got chewed up by the clamp on the end of the rod coming from the pedal. It worked loose (just like it had before!) And fell off, letting the throttle butterfly valve fall wide open. Scared the crap out of me! But I never drove it again, I went back to driving my deuce-and-a-half. Much better!! BTW, I was in a Nike Hawk brigade, which had many Radar vehicles. Who knows? This might've been the same one I drove! 😱😱 Thanks for the memories and informative video.

[@bruceradfordsorrywronghous534]

awesome!

[@stevenmc56]

Nasty looking welds on that truck

[@RockIsland1913]

Blame the Army, not me, I didn't do it. Ugly or not, they are getting the job done.

[@frankdavidson9675]

they will outlast any thing on the highway to day mine is 1953 i feel like i have add 50 more yrs to it replaced every thing that needed replacing from gd up it was last reg in ga in 2007 i found it in 2011

[@paulday-lh5mx]

Do you think they were building them for the public?

[@gregoryclark3870]

I have almost the truck to yours 1954 mine needs a paint job great machine I used mine to erect a 40 by 60 foot steel building by my self with the winch

[@RockIsland1913]

The M37 didn't change much from 1952-1968. Mine hauls firewood in the winter, a full load of oak and the springs don't know it's there.

[@sethmorton8539]

My dream truck

[@RockIsland1913]

I loaded the back with fuel cans, masked up, and did a fuel run with the M37 earlier today. It sat all winter and everything is working fine. I did start it from time to time.

[@frankdavidson9675]

my spare tire is factory rear mounted the seat mounts on that side are made shorter to accomadate the spare

[@explorer8888]

Very nice! Two weeks ago I bought a 1963 M37B1. Still learning about them. How did you find out that it was a radar truck and where it came from?

[@RockIsland1913]

All of the importation paperwork from the 1970's is with it. There is a small plate attached to the frame of this truck with Army missile command on it. It also has the rear stabilizer jack used when a radar set is mounted in the bed. If you ignore the 24 volt, military body, and river fording stuff, this truck is a Dodge Power Wagon. I recognize everything from a 1948 Power Wagon I used as a snow plow for many years.

[@frankdavidson9675]

ive had mine since 2011 if you have any ??? fill free to ask i still tinker with it about every day

[@frankdavidson9675]

this is recomended by VPW in iowa they have 1000s parts for these trucks use what ever brand you want

[@frankdavidson9675]

guys growing up today have missed out on driving a stright drive truck they were a lot of fun to drive i got my lic in 1952 a lot of vechicles still had mech brakes not hydrolic shiftin the gears was the fun part back then gas was 5 gal for a dollar oil was 15 cents a qt im 86 yrs ive seen alot

[@RockIsland1913]

I don't have any use for fancy trucks all dolled up like a Cadillac. When I wanted comfort, and ease I bought a Cadillac, when I want to work I need a tough truck I can fix myself with simple tools out in the woods. No power anything, and everything is designed to be repaired, serviced, or adjusted. No giant engine, this truck is all gears, it takes the Dodge 230 L head six and will rip a house down with it. I put on a load of split oak, right to the top of the rack, and the springs didn't sag. People saw that and got all twisted about using an antique for hauling wood, as if wood would hurt it. Not much point to having a truck just to look at. Funny's how they don't comment on me swinging an axe when I am rapidly approaching antique status myself, guess it only matters for vehicles. I bought it, worked for the money that paid for it, maintain it myself, and I will use it any way I like.

[@frankdavidson9675]

@@RockIsland1913 the best part i like is you can get to everything on by leaning over the finder

[@RockIsland1913]

If you lean over the fender while standing on a milk crate, these truck have real ground clearance without any special lift kits.

[@frankdavidson9675]

i forgot to mention i use a small 4ft step ladder on about 2nd step works for me im 86 yrs still work on it i love it

[@frankdavidson9675]

my spare tire is mounted in the bed on the pass. side the seat on that side is cut short to allow that to fit

[@RockIsland1913]

The B1's are the latest version of the M37, on these the spare is mounted on the door along with some other minor changes. The B1 started production in 1958, and continued to the end of production of the M37 in 1968. It wasn't uncommon for the spare to be moved into the bed by civilian agency's that received these trucks when they left military service. Fire departments, forest service, Civil Defense Core, and so on.

[@deepbludude4697]

Nice I have owned a couple of these over the years as well as WM300, and W200 PW, I want another M37

[@RockIsland1913]

M37's are not hard to find, there are at least two on Craigslist just within 40 miles of me. They need full restoration, but I have seen a few restored, or nice originals on eBay over the last year. The truck has been running well with no issues.

[@deepbludude4697]

@@RockIsland1913 Yep agreed the last one I bought I paid 1200 bucks for it, and drove it for years. IM always looking thanks and nice ride!

[@luistingsonjr.7748]

we have 1 like this until now i want to restore it...

[@RockIsland1913]

Not that hard to bring these back as spare parts are still available on eBay, or at swap meets and so on. .

[@frankdavidson9675]

there is so few of the original jerry cans left i want to restore it if possable its part of the truck

[@andromeda9948]

Waoow sangat menyenangkan kalo bisa memiliki Mobil M37B1 ini, tapi sayangnya kami hanyalah orang yang tidak mungkin mampu memilikinya..................

[@frankdavidson9675]

the trucks were used in the korean war i spent over two years over there in the 50 in 52 out 55 187th airborne i didnt drive m37 then i drove 2 1/2 ton trk it was auto matic drive even back then the were made like a tank

[@RockIsland1913]

Thank you for your service, my family was heavily involved in WW2, but nobody that I know of fought in Korea 1950-53. Not in the family anyway, I have known many others who did participate over there. My neighbor who has since passed made what he called an advance in a different direction with Chesty Puller after the landings at Inchon in 1950. He still had his M1 bayonet, once his wife asked him if he had ever used it, he just gave her a look. Another guy I worked with years back was an army machine gunner, he had a pretty tough war and rarely spoke of it. The M37 is just a slightly upgraded WW2 era 3/4 ton WC series trucks. The WC models were still in use during Korea, the M series M37's came along in 1951, and with minor alterations would remain in service well into the 1970's. My M37 left service with the army missile command in 1977. The B1 series came along in 1958, minor changes were made to the design, these would be a common sight in Vietnam during our involvement there. Automatic transmission means one truck that I can think of, 2 1/2 ton 6x6 otherwise known as the Duce and a half, 1940 right on up to the 1990's these were still in use. Lot of municipalities ended up with these trucks so you can still see them in use. My M37 is wearing the hardtop from a GMC CCKW Duce. The army made that modification as M37B1 weapons carriers had canvas tops over the cab. I think they had 560,000 CCKW's made during WW2, so it's pretty likely you were driving one, or the Studebaker version. The man I bought the M37 from told me his next ambition was to build a Duce for himself, but I got the strong impression his wife wasn't going along with that plan.

[@frankdavidson9675]

this changed in 1958 the m37 became m37b1 the most notable chance was the spare tire moved to the bed this changed the (T245 ) to(T245A) per the military manual

[@frankdavidson9675]

john deere has grease that is good for the winch its call corn head grease in a tube about 3$ when its idle its about like cup grease but when its in motinn it turns to a liquid form it wont leak out like some grease will

[@RockIsland1913]

Looks good for some more modern applications I could use it in. I have to make sure this will not harm the bronze gears inside the winch, or brass, not sure what they made them out of. Some lubricants will cause damage to the metal itself, you have to be careful with what you put in old gearbox's as many do have brass parts inside. The winch has a huge brass gear, two actually.

[@frankdavidson9675]

@@RockIsland1913 this info came from the folks at vpw in iowa they have a about 90 % of new parts for m37s this was nvented for the corn picking machines in iowa

[@frankdavidson9675]

@@RockIsland1913 most of these trks are about 70 yrs old i dont think a little greese will do much dams-age to them you dont use a winch every day most of the time its just there waiting ....lol

[@jaimeortunovargas7785]

Es un carro genial

[@frankdavidson9675]

seeing that name rockisland remineded me i bought a 1903 springfield rifle back in the 60s from rockisland armory i think i paid $29,00 for it its worth a bit more today

[@RockIsland1913]

The Name is from a rifle I acquired many years ago from the WW1 Veteran who brought it home from France. The boys could do that in 1919, that would change in later wars. 1913 Rock Island arsenal M1903 rifle. The rife appears to be the hens teeth, fully original as first issued in 1913, never sent back to be repaired, updated, or refurbished as most US weapons are. Leo was 93 when he sold me that rifle in the early 1980's, he was ill and had nobody left to leave it to. He sold me his remaining kit, even 1918 dated ammo that he had never used after coming home.

[@frankdavidson9675]

@@RockIsland1913 my dad was in that war he came home ok died in55 ihad his steel helmet still had dried mud on it from french trenches

[@RockIsland1913]

I have several M1917 helmets, but none that still have the trench mud still on them.

[@frankdavidson9675]

@@RockIsland1913 my dad brought his home with him yours must have come from surplus store thats the difference.

[@RockIsland1913]

Never saw one in a surplus store, mine came with the RIA 1913 US M1903 along with the mans cartridge belt, straps, bag, bayonet, and a few other items. He was buried in his uniform. That was in the early 1980's, one of our last WW1 vets in this area, he sold it all to me when he moved south. It was a privilege's to have been able to speak with him and learn something about the gear I was buying, and were it was used, France 1918.

[@luistingsonjr.7748]

i have mine also i want to get make over restoration the same as this one..

[@RockIsland1913]

This one was taken apart, everything cleaned up and repaired as needed, then repainted, and put back together. It started as a very low miles truck, and still is. These aren't the easiest vehicles to drive so they tend not to rack up the miles of a modern truck.

[@derekbryant6137]

Just a recommendation I would put in lock out ignition on that that way it doesn't drive off without you in it that is a theft liability I definitely would put a key to ignition in it if I was you just a suggestion

[@RockIsland1913]

It has a battery cutout that is locked away. The truck was built by an aircraft mechanic who did a real nice job with that cutout. The switch must have been sourced from the aircraft industry, because it's definitely not the cheap piece of junk you see most antique cars using. The best anti theft device on this truck is it's manual transmission. I am continually amazed at how many people, including full grown middle aged men, are unable to operate anything with a manual , never mind double clutching. All to many of them can't steer it either.

[@derekbryant6137]

@@RockIsland1913 that's awesome I am the stepson of a truck driver I know about manuals people are lazy and don't realize that Manuel's actually get better fuel mileage but that's awesome and I know about aircraft lockouts I have one on my welding machine

[@derekbryant6137]

And you got yourself a new subscriber because I think your stuff is interesting

[@RockIsland1913]

Welcome to the channel, I have interesting stuff for more videos, but work keeps getting in the way of play. I will be getting more up in the new year as time permits.

[@RockIsland1913]

Also handy when you live in a state that splashes the roads with salt and calcium chloride each winter causing brake lines to rust away. Try limping home with no brakes and an automatic transmission with just an e brake. All my trucks except the '89 Dodge have manuals, the '69 FWD, stick that one in low range and creep along at 4-5 MPH at idle, uphill, down, never touch the brake. Had a guy sell me his running '98 Ford Ranger four cylinder two wheel drive for fifty bucks scrap today. He tried to sell it for a few hundred on Craigslist, wasn't the 170,000 miles that put people off, it was the 4 speed stick. Again, and again people would look at it and walk away because they couldn't drive a stick and to lazy to learn. Even the big trucks are going automatic now. Small cars with a stick do get better fuel economy, but all my trucks were heavy with big V8's, or diesels. Nothing helped them get better fuel economy. My Model A Ford has a three speed stick, only option in 1930, it manages around 20 MPH.

[@frankdavidson9675]

i have an original G I jerry 5 gal can on m37 rather large dent in the side dont hurt just looks bad does any one know a good way to pop a dent out

[@RockIsland1913]

The same ways you would pop a dent out of a car fender. This would mean taking it to a shop, very expensive, or acquiring the tools and doing it yourself. Slide hammer would be the cheapest. Drill holes in the dent, screw in the hammer bit and pop out what you can, then fill with body filler, sand it smooth, and paint. Just finding another can would be the cheapest option, surplus stores, flea markets when they reopen, or eBay. Maybe not that cheap, a check of eBay sold items shows a nice USGI 1973 date can sold for $81 last week. You would have had to paint it.

[@kentkirkpatrick7953]

Can pop out with compressed air or fill with water and freeze it. Hell, even pushing from the inside with a broom handle has worked for me. Lol

[@edwinaralar349]

How much

[@frankdavidson9675]

what ever happened to those zillions of jerry gas cans hard to find mine has a big dent in it ????? i also have in immation can loooks real good made well even got a crome donkey dong (lol)

[@RockIsland1913]

The Wavian NATO spec cans are the best on the market, and DOT compliant if colored properly for the fuel inside. $80 a can common price, ten times the build of the Chinese knockoff. Coleman military surplus was selling 1950's surplus German bund marked cans for around $25 plus shipping. OD, rust on the outside but unused on the inside, I bought a pile of them and have been using them for gas, and diesel ( the gas I painted red ) screw top USGI cans turn up at flea markets, and tag sales, good for display, but flip top German cans are much easier to use.

[@frankdavidson9675]

@@RockIsland1913 the fliptops were used only for water when i as in service in the 50 s cream colored in side to prevent rust .

[@RockIsland1913]

I don't recall seeing a USGI water can in a surplus store since the 70's, but then I wasn't particularly looking. I have two variety's of German bund marked marked cans, both are lined with what looks like good old red lead. One style has the smaller fliptop like the modern Wavian, or NATO cans, the other a large fliptop , both are typical OD with slight rust. I do have some black high impact plastic five gallon cans marked for water, not sure who's army.